Red-hot Stephon Marbury contributed 23 points and 15 assists and
only one turnover for Minnesota, which has won seven of its
first nine games to extend the best start in franchise history.
The Timberwolves also won their 11th straight regular season
game at home.

"When you have three guys who have double-doubles for you,
that's pretty good from your three main guys," Minnesota coach
Flip Saunders said.

Minnesota never trailed, held an 11-point lead at halftime and
extended its lead to 21 on four occasions in the third quarter,
the final time on an 18-foot running jumper by Marbury that gave
the Timberwolves an 82-61 advantage with 2:07 left.

The Kings went on a 15-2 run over the next 6 1/2 minutes that
cut the deficit to 84-76. Jon Barry scored six of his 11 points
and Vernon Maxwell added four, including a driving layup that
capped it with 7:42 left.

Minnesota regained control as Anthony Peeler sank a 24-footer --
the Wolves' only 3-pointer of the game -- and Marbury made two
free throws with 6:19 remaining. Sacramento got no closer than
nine thereafter.

"We have to learn that when we get up, we've got to put a team
away if we have that opportunity," Saunders said. "We never let
them get the margin down to where it was a serious run down the
stretch, but we lost some of our offensive aggressiveness that
we had early."

Smith, whose previous high was 23 points, scored 19 in the first
half and Marbury had 15 and 10 assists as Minnesota led 57-46 at
intermission. In his last three games, Marbury is averaging
28.7 points and 12.3 assists.

Minnesota made only 39 percent (40-of-102) from the field,
including 1-of-10 from 3-point range, but held a 25-17 advantage
in second-chance points.

"I think obviously they were aggressive all night long," Kings
coach Rick Adelman said. "They set the tone with their
aggressive defense. They took us out of what we wanted to do.
They knew we had been playing fairly decently and they really
came after us. They set the tone all night long."

Lawrence Funderburke had 10 points and 12 rebounds off the bench
for Sacramento. Rookie point guard Jason Williams was held in
check by Marbury, scoring only 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting.

"We picked him up before he hit half-court," Marbury said. "I
played like he does when I was growing up. He's going to be a
very good point guard, he just has to learn to play at two
speeds. Once he learns, he's going to be a great player."